S2825
RTT - RTT education, training, and advanced practice
ESTRO 2026
Advanced Practice in Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy: A Valuable Role in Ireland’s Implementation of Advanced Practice Orla McKivitt, Claire Keating, Clara Cremin Radiation Oncology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland Purpose/Objective: Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is a complex treatment technique that places increasing demands on radiotherapy departments. In Ireland, rising SABR referrals and workforce shortages highlight the need for innovative service delivery models. Burnout among radiation oncologists (ROs) has been reported at 40–55%, driven largely by increasing patient volumes and extended working hours [1,2]. Internationally, advanced practice (AP) roles for radiation therapists (RTs) have been successfully implemented across multiple specialties to improve efficiency, reduce RO workload, enhance patient experience, and support RT retention [3–6]. In Ireland, the introduction of Radiation Therapist Advanced Practitioner (RTAP) roles is imminent following the completion of the National Radiation Therapist Review in 2025. This led to six RTAP posts being sanctioned across public radiotherapy departments [7]. This single-centre study evaluates the current SABR Clinical Specialist (CS) role within the author’s department, examining its alignment with the four pillars of AP and estimating time savings for ROs. Material/Methods: A review of international evidence on RTAP roles was conducted, with a focus on SABR practice [3–6]. Local SABR CS practice was benchmarked against reported RTAP responsibilities in the literature and the UK Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice [3,4,8]. Opportunities for service enhancement were identified, and potential RO time savings were estimated based on redistributing clinical review, daily image guidance, and target delineation to
The SABR CS role already aligns with the pillars of AP, except for clinical. Expanding this position into an RTAP role would allow for the extension of the clinical scope of practice and deliver significant time savings for ROs. Implementing SABR RTAP roles could enhance service capacity, patient satisfaction, efficiency, and RT retention. Safe and effective implementation will require a structured competency framework, formal training pathways, and strong multidisciplinary support. Keywords: Advanced Practice, SABR, SBRT, SRS, RTT References: 1. Ponce SB et al. J Am Coll Radiol. 2023;20:S1546- 1440. 2. Franco P et al. Radiother Oncol. 2020;147:162–8. 3. Harnett N et al. J Med Radiat Sci. 2018;65:125–35. 4. Oliveira C et al. Radiother Oncol. 2024;187:109872. 5. McNair HA et al. Radiography. 2024;30:16–23. 6. Duffton A et al. Radiography. 2019;25:121–6. 7. SIPTU. National RT Review Report. 2024. 8. Health Education England. Multi-professional Framework for AP. 2025. Exploring patient anxiety management training for therapeutic radiographers: a single-centre mixed- methods study. Emma Jane White 1,2 , Ellie MacLeod 3 , Justin Grayer 4 , Elizabeth Joyce 5 , Patrick Kierkegaard 6 , Helen A McNair 1,2 1 Academic Radiography, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom. 2 Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom. 3 Medical Biosciences, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom. 4 Clinical Psychology, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom. 5 Radiotherapy, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom. 6 Implementation Science, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom Purpose/Objective: Therapeutic radiographers (RTTs) are often the first point of contact for patients during radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to understand the anxiety management training received by RTTs, and their perceptions on the role of managing anxiety in radiotherapy patients. Material/Methods: A survey was developed in collaboration with experts in anxiety and psychological care, following ESTRO guidelines to capture RTTs’ training in managing patient anxiety, and individual perception of managing patient anxiety (1). The survey, hosted on Microsoft Forms, was distributed via email to all RTTs working in a single institution, and was open for 4 weeks. Digital Poster 1607
an RTAP. Results:
The current SABR CS role fulfils three of the four pillars of AP, leadership, education, and research, and aligns with many elements of the UK Multi-professional Framework for AP [8]. The clinical pillar demonstrates the greatest potential for development. Based on the average number of SABR fractions delivered over the past 12 months, RO time savings were estimated as follows: RT-led clinical reviews could save approximately 4 hours per month, RTAP-led image guidance 10 hours, and RTAP-led target delineation up to 5 hours. Combined, this represents a total saving of 19 hours of RO time per month with further time- savings as the SABR programme expands and patient numbers increase. Conclusion:
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